2008 was a Success

"The 6^th Maggie Dan’s Samhain International Poetry Festival was the most successful ever"

The 2008 festival theme was St Colmcille’s link with Scotland and Donegal.  The festival attracted visitors from Romania, USA, Australia, Israel, England, France and a large contingent from Scotland and Northern Ireland.  The 6^th Maggie Dan’s International poetry festival opened on Wednesday night 15^th with Gabriel Rosenstock reading from the new edition of the famous book The Leabher Mor.  Among the readers Gabriel invited to read was Ireland’s greatest living Gaelic poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh.

 

Cathal recited to a packed house in Maggie Dan’s Theatre which is called Amharclann Uí Shearcaigh in honour of Cathal.  A relaxed sun tanned Cathal Ó Searcaigh recited to a sell-out audience who paid €25 for the pleasure of this unique evening.  Cathal also recited from a selection of his new poems and extracts from his memories “light on distant hill” which are yet to be published by Simon & Schuster.  Included in the audience were Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan, The Rev. Brian Smeaton, Senator Tommy Francis, artist Deirdre Ní Bhraonáin of Clannad family fame, Donegal poet, Joe Kane and artist/musician Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh.  Music for the recital was by Donegal-based international singer/song-writer Terry Monaghan.  The celebration continued in typical Donegal Gaeltacht style into the wee hours in Maggie Dan’s with a céilí hosted in Cathal’s honour by the King of Tory, Patsy Dan Mac Ruarí who travelled to the mainland especially to support his great friend Cathal and entertain the guests who were treated to a night of pizza and vintage pink champagne in Cathal’s honour.

 

The festival continued on Thursday with a musical evening and Art exhibition which finishes on the 16^th November by Seoirse O’Dochartaigh.

 

On Friday St Colmcille’s historical links between Iona in Scotland and Donegal came alive With Dr Brian Lacey, Paddy Bogside Doherty and Limavady-based Mike Conway.

 

On Saturday morning Dr Brian Lacey undertook a local St Colmcille historical tour and on Saturday night International Scottish poet Aonghas MacNeacaill recited and he was accompanied by the superbly gifted Scottish singer Gerda Stevenson.

 

The festival finished, as usual, with a poetic service conducted by the Rev. Brian Smeaton in St Ann’s Church of Ireland, Killult, Gortahork.

 

 

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